Asthma in schools; use of short-acting bronchodilators
Wis. Stat. § 118.2915
in effect(1) Definitions. In this section:
(a) “Advanced practice registered nurse” means an individual licensed under s. 441.09 who may issue prescription orders under s. 441.09 (2).
(b) “Asthma” means a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, characterized by airway obstruction, which is at least partially reversible and which manifests as increased bronchial responsiveness to a variety of stimuli.
(c) “Designated school personnel” means employees, agents, or volunteers of a school, designated by the governing body of the school, who have completed the training specified in the plan adopted by the governing body of the school under sub. (2) (a).
(d) “Pharmacist” has the meaning given in s. 450.01 (15).
(e) “Physician” means a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery under ch. 448.
(f) “Physician assistant” means a person licensed under s. 448.974.
(g) “School” means a public, private, or tribal school.
(h) “Self-administer” means to administer a short-acting bronchodilator to one’s own body.
(i) “Short-acting bronchodilator” means any beta-2 agonist, such as albuterol, used for the quick relief of asthma symptoms. “Short-acting bronchodilator” includes an orally inhaled medication that contains a premeasured single dose of albuterol or albuterol sulfate delivered by a nebulizer or by a pressurized metered-dose inhaler.
(2) School plan.
(a) The governing body of a school may adopt a plan for the management of pupils attending the school who have asthma. If the governing body of a school adopts a plan under this paragraph, it shall specify in the plan the training necessary to perform the activities under sub. (4). The governing body of a school may not adopt a plan under this paragraph unless the plan has been approved by a physician, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant.
(b) The governing body of a school that has adopted a plan under par. (a) shall make the plan available on the governing body’s website or the website of each school under its jurisdiction or, if such a website does not exist, give a copy of the plan to any person upon request.
(3) Prescriptions and supply.
(a) A physician, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant may provide a prescription or standing order for a short-acting bronchodilator or components in the name of a school that has adopted a plan under sub. (2) (a) to be maintained by the school for use under sub. (4).
(b) The governing body of a school that has a valid prescription under par. (a) may accept as a donation a short-acting bronchodilator or components if the donated short-acting bronchodilator or components are new, unexpired, manufacturer-sealed, not subject to recall, unadulterated, and in compliance with regulations promulgated by the federal food and drug administration.
(c) The governing body of a school that has adopted a plan under sub. (2) (a) may obtain a prescription or standing order for a short-acting bronchodilator or components and may acquire and maintain, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, a supply of short-acting bronchodilators and components.
(4) Use of bronchodilators. The governing body of a school that has adopted a plan under sub. (2) (a) may authorize a school nurse or designated school personnel to do any of the following on school premises or at a school-sponsored activity:
(a) Provide a short-acting bronchodilator to a pupil to self-administer the short-acting bronchodilator in accordance with a prescription specific to the pupil that is on file with the school.
(b) Administer a short-acting bronchodilator to a pupil in accordance with a prescription specific to the pupil that is on file with the school.
(c) In accordance with a prescription or standing order from a physician, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant, administer a short-acting bronchodilator to a pupil or other person who the school nurse or designated school personnel believes in good faith is experiencing respiratory distress, regardless of whether the pupil or other person has a prescription for a short-acting bronchodilator.
(5) Independent authority.
(a) The authority to self-administer a short-acting bronchodilator under sub. (4) (a) is independent of the authorized possession and use of a metered-dose inhaler or dry-powder inhaler under s. 118.291 (1r).
(b) The authority to administer a short-acting bronchodilator under sub. (4) (b) and (c) is independent of the authority to administer a metered-dose inhaler or dry-powder inhaler under s. 118.29 (2) (a) 2.
(6) Immunity from civil liability; exemption from practice of medicine.
(a) None of the following are liable for any injury that results from the administration or self-administration of a short-acting bronchodilator under this section, regardless of whether authorization was given by the pupil’s parent or guardian or by the pupil’s physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse, unless the injury is the result of an act or omission that constitutes gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct:
1. A school, its school nurse, and its designated school personnel.
2. A physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant who provides a prescription or standing order for a short-acting bronchodilator or components to a school under sub. (3) (a).
3. A physician, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, or pharmacist who dispenses a short-acting bronchodilator or components to a school in accordance with a prescription or standing order under sub. (3) (a).
(b) The immunity from liability provided under this subsection is in addition to and not in lieu of that provided under s. 895.48.
(7) Health care professionals. Nothing in this section prohibits a health care professional, as defined in s. 118.29 (1) (c), from acting within the scope of practice of the health care professional’s license, certificate, permit, or registration.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/118.2915Fetched: 10/7/2026